Transfer from Nội Bài International Airport to Hanoi Old Quarter:  I did a ton of research before arriving in Hanoi but somehow it still didn’t prevent us from having to figure things out on the fly when we got there.  Depending on your budget and time constraints, you have a few options (from priciest to cheapest):

1.  Airport Taxi – The price varies depending on who you approach (or more likely, who approaches you).  We were quoted $30 USD at the “Tourism Information” desk.  If you leave the terminal, there will be a line of taxis waiting for you.  We were quoted 400,000 VND from the first taxi driver & 350,000 VND for the second taxi.  Since this is the most flexible and efficient option, you may want to shop around and negotiate the price to something you are willing to pay.  Before my trip, I searched online and someone said it should only cost 160,000 VND for a sedan. They may have had some REALLY good bargaining skills or they were a local.

2.  Airport Minibus – Being budget travelers, this was the option we chose.  When you come out of the terminal, turn right.  There is a sign that says “Minibus”.  There are different minibus companies who will try to lure you over to them, but they are more expensive (at about 80,000 VND per person).  It cost us 40,000 VND per person (luggage included).  The minibus only leaves when it’s packed to capacity.  We were squished in like sardines, along with everyone else’s luggage.  But it’s a good sign when locals are also taking the same bus, although they somehow managed to get let off in random places along the way.
We were packed so full that every time the bus made a stop to let a passenger off, we had to watch & make sure our backpacks hadn’t fallen off when the door opened.  The ride took about 1hr 20min, and we got off at what someone told us was the second last stop.  The last stop is the Vietnam Airlines office.
From where we were dropped off, we shared a cab with someone else and it was only another 3 min ride (18,000 VND) to Little Hanoi Hostel 2 (located right by Hoan Kiem Lake).

3.  Public Bus #17 – Although it’s only 7,000 VND per person, I don’t recommend this option as it may take over 1.5 hours (with many stops) to get into the Old Quarter.  And as a foreigner, you may be asked to pay extra for any luggage you need to bring with you.

See my next post for tips on traveling from Hanoi Train Station to Sapa.